Cut a Shapely Figure

Surprisingly there are only six basic silhouettes to chose from, once you have nailed your favourite, make it truly yours with jawdropping fabric.




Ball Gown
It’s the dress favoured by teeny waisted, romantic royal brides from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana and even pop princess Victoria Beckham. the tight bodice, corseted waist and billowing skirt are pretty and ultra feminine. a bustier will most often be involved.





Princess
Princess Mary put this shape into the spotlight. Flattering and slimming, the boned dress hugs the bust and waist tightly then flares into an ungathered skirt giving a long, lean look. An elegant cut for the ultimate sophisticate, minimal in a strapless version.




A-Line
From the skinny bodice with an under-bust trim, the dress skims the waist to a wide ungathered skirt. This hip-slimming cut gives a look that’s sweet and innocent. Devotees of this flattering style have included Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson




Empire
The tight bodice is the focus, often with a deeply scooped neckline; the fabric then falls to the hemline. Nicole Kidman’s wedding dress followed this comfortable empire line in a cloud of french lace and silk chiffon, with an up to the minute micro-pleated sleeve detail.





Mini
Short is back for perky brides, the knee length shows off lovely legs and puts pretty feet and enviable shoes in focus. It’s a less formal choice, perfect for beach weddings and cocktail hour nuptials. Cindy Crawford wore this raised hemline and made the confident look a hit.





Slip Dress
Sexy and slinky but the most unforgiving shape of all, the bias cut hugs the figure all the way from the bust to the ankles and highlights every curve and bump. Carolyn Bessette’s cigarette-thin frame suited this daring and deadly sexy line.



images via firstVIEW

Modern Style Ideas Spring Summer 2013

Modern Style Ideas

Miranda Kerr showcases a design by Alex Perry during the 2012 David Jones S/S Season Launch - Getty Images

Whole, light, shimmering
This is the season for women to inspire
To shine, with joy, elegance, confidence

Left: Design by Zac Posen Right: Design by Reem Acra Spring 2013 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - Getty Images

A season with all the seasons within
Layers of the retro and contemporary and high-tech, transcending
Reflecting circles of whites, golds, silvers, powders

Left: Coco Rocha wears Zac Posen Right: Norisol Ferrari design from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2012 - Getty Images

A season for intelligence and transparency
Fine fabrics flowing, billowing
With happiness and comfort, one complementing the other

Anteprima Fashion Show part of Milan Fashion Week - Getty Images

Feel the texture, the geometry
The sheer grace of silhouettes and satin
The boldness of metallic mesh and all-overs

Jack London Suits from David Jones Spring/Summer 2013 - Getty Images

Knitted, pleated, silken, sequins…
A-lined, fluid, straight, wide…
And fine sandals with platinum heels to lift you

Many wedding dresses in China, India and Vietnam are

colored red, the traditional color of good luck and

auspiciousness.

Suit by Calibre, Dress by Alex Perry from David Jones Spring/Summer 2013 - Getty Images

This is a season embroidered with womanly beauty and light
Woven with sophistication and simplicity, softness and stamina
The woman’s body echoes everything


Feel the best this season

Paisley Blue Hues

Paisley Blue Hues

At a time when too much pattern is not enough, paisley is hot. The ornate, feathery design dates back to persia in the 1500s when royalty embellished court garments and crowns with fine detail. Rediscover paisley’s luxurious potential using a ralph lauren wallpaper and make a contemporary statement in smokey blue against bridal white.
Blue continues to be the world’s most favourite colour, so use the crowd pleaser to the hilt. In a white marquee, pedestals decorated with paisley wallpaper are used to put the blue story on show. A bold cluster of cobalt bottles looks sharp and a touch quirky, The gladioli stems add a dignified beauty and the paisley pattern ties it all together.



The sublime colours in the florist’s arrangement are breathtaking against the exquisite paisley patterned box. A striking sheath bouquet of long stemmed white gladioli is skirted with the soft-to-touch frills of silver suede foliage. The subtle charcoal velvet bow adds a truly tactile finish.

"A sapphire statement"

Following the theme, the buttonholes have been made from individual white gladioli blooms with a silver suede leaf. Their stems have been set into tiny paisley wallpaper cones and finished with the thinnest of navy blue bows.



Boxed flowers always have an ultra special feel, but when the boxes match the flowers in beauty, the effect is dizzyingly perfect. Organise lined boxes for the flower deliveries. The benefits are doublefold, the wedding day photos will show the flowers off to their best advantage and the thrill for the bridal party will be memorable.

An alternative to individual guest favours is an inviting jar of self-serve after dinner lollies on the table. The handsome glass and pewter canisters are decorative in themselves and hold mints for a post dinner treat. Cut into circles, the patterned wallpaper decorates the centre of each table, emphasising the theme of the wedding.



The classic paisley pattern lends itself to many thoughtful and interesting uses. Paper has been twirled into cones which are used to hold rose petals to be thrown rather than confetti.

The perfect detail, a letterpress placecard

in a paisley design.



Mid blue fabric has been hung as a backdrop to heighten the blue colour theme in the white marquee space. The generous use of the textile creates a swish, well decorated look and creates a contrasting backdrop for the elegant table setting. In a recent floral turnaround, white gladioli have made a big comeback and it’s easy to see why, they add height and make a classic centrepiece in a simple cylindrical vase.



A cake that really looks too good to cut; if ever there was a centrepiece on the dessert table, this ‘look at me’ delight wins on a number of counts. It’s a stand alone beauty that echoes the decorative theme of the wedding closely and does divine things to tastebuds. The nine-tiered fondant wonder is finished in a pale blue pearlescent wash and detailed with a paisley motif.


"The power of good design"

The Ralph Lauren paisley wallpaper decorated the wedding venue and inspired the artwork for the stationery suite which includes the invitation, menu, placecards and swing tags, all follow the theme.



A delightful picnic food box would be a welcome pick-me-up for the bride and groom after the reception. This idea is perfect for the occasion when ordering room service would be too much after a great dinner and raiding the mini bar would not be good enough. The box is convenient, it can be made to look like an extension of the wedding when wrapped in the themed paper binned when finished.